The holidays are a time for family, friends, and…drain clogs? It’s true! The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for plumbing companies.
From guests flushing strange things down your toilets to extended family overloading your garbage disposal, there are several ways your plumbing can take a beating during the holidays. But don’t worry; we’re here to help! Follow our five tips for taking care of your plumbing this holiday season, and you can avoid a plumbing disaster:
1. Be mindful of what you flush.
It isn’t smart to flush things like baby wipes or sanitary pads down the toilet, but people do it anyway. Mainly because many public restrooms don’t have garbage cans; this has taught some that it’s okay to flush these items down the toilet, either in a public toilet or their toilets at home. Unfortunately, this often leads to clogged pipes and costly repairs.
2. Don’t overload your garbage disposal.
Your garbage disposal is not a trash can. It’s meant for small scraps of food, not large pieces of food or non-food items. When you overload your garbage disposal, it can cause the motor to overheat and break down. Plus, it’s just gross! Dispose of large pieces of food, or tough items like bones, in the trash where they belong!
3. Avoid putting grease down the drain.
Grease may seem okay to put down the drain since it’s liquid, but it’s not! When the grease cools, it hardens and can cling to your pipes, causing clogs. Plus, it can eventually lead to pipe corrosion. The best way to get rid of grease is to let it cool in a can and throw it in the trash.
4. Don’t use chemical drain cleaners.
Chemical drain cleaners may seem easy to clear a clog, but they’re really bad for your pipes! The chemicals in these cleaners are corrosive and can damage your pipes, leading to leaks. Instead of using a chemical drain cleaner, try using a plunger or a plumber’s snake.
5. Watch out for hair in the drains. (And use strainers in your shower drain!)
Hair is one of the most common causes of clogged drains. To avoid this, be sure to put strainers in your tub/shower drain to catch any hair before it has a chance to go down the drain. And if you see any hair in the drain, be sure to remove it, so it doesn’t cause a clog! Plus, hair and soap scum cling together to create an even tougher clog to remove.
Bonus tip #6: Know where your main water shut-off valve is located.
This is a good tip to know all year round, but it’s essential during the holidays when there’s an increased risk of plumbing problems. If a pipe burst or there is another serious plumbing issue, you’ll want to be able to shut off the water quickly to minimize the damage. So take a minute to locate your main water shut-off valve and be sure everyone in your family knows where it is too.
Following our simple tips for taking care of your plumbing this holiday season, you can avoid a plumbing disaster and have a happy and stress-free holiday here in Orange County! Call us anytime when you need a plumber at (714) 602-1299, or schedule an appointment on our website.